Former players hit out at sacked women's college basketball coach claiming she mentally abused them and left many with eating disorders

When Oakland University women's basketball coach Beckie Francis was mysteriously fired in June, no explanation was given by the college for the sudden termination of her contract.

However, former and current players have come forward to allege that Francis systematically bullied her players over their weight and used 'religious intimidation' to frighten the girls on her team.

The university's players have revealed that Francis obsessed over their virginity and alleged that she treated non-Christian players in a bigoted manner.

Agressive Allegations: Former and current players have come forward to allege that Francis systmatically bullied her players over their weight and tried to force her Christian beliefs on them

Francis was fired in June after 13 seasons at Oakland, that included a record 65 games over .500 and two NCAA tournament appearances.

To date, the university has failed to explain her dismissal, only to say that an investigation was begun in April after concerns about her conduct and behavior were raised that led to her dismissal in June.

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In interviews with the Detroit Free Press, anonymous players said that Francis fixated on players weights and forced them to be photographed in bras and Spandex so that their body changes could be seen.

This caused some of the girls to develop eating disorders, the Free Press alleges.

Francis told The Associated Press she was sexually assaulted by her dad, who is now deceased, from the age of 4 until she was in the seventh grade

In addition, Francis 'pushed' her religious beliefs onto her players, making them attend church and showing Christian videos on bus rides to games.

'Mental abuse is definitely the two words that describe my three years there,' said Stacey Farrell, an ex-player and student who chose not to play as a senior in 2010-11.

According to Farrell, Francis would demand that her players 'don't fraternize with the men's team.'

Saying, 'By the way, are you guys virgins? You guys are virgins, right? You haven't had sex, right?'

The obsessive handling of her players allegedly led Francis to demand a puritan lifestyle, where Christianity is key, no one smokes and all that girls do is to sit in their dorm room to study.

Another student, Karli Harris, alleges that Francis harassed her and bullied her on her weight, made unusual demands of her social life and tried to make her attend church services with her.

'It was every day,' said Harris to the Detroit Free Press. 'It was so stupid. Looking back, it had nothing to do with basketball. The focus on basketball was eight-percentage of her energy, the rest is wasted on other stupid, trivial things.'

'It was just head games, constant head games.'

Another player, Jenna Bachrouche, said that felt emotionally attacked by Francis because she was a Muslim.

Bachrouche said that Francis also constantly criticized her for being overweight.

'Honestly, it was exhausting; it was stressful,' said Bachrouche. 'I tried to avoid as much conversation with her as possible. I know it was the same for a lot of other girls. I got stressed out just thinking about talking to her or going to practice or having something to do with basketball. My academics suffered.

'To have someone make you feel so insecure about yourself, for someone to have that kind of power over you, is really, really overwhelming. Looking back on it now, it was just insane.’

Married to the University President: Francis's husband is Oakland University President, Gary Russi

Indeed, the rapid nature of Francis' fall came just months after she received national acclaim for revealing to the Associated Press that she had been sexually abused by her father between the ages of 4 and 13.

Just before she lost her job, Francis received the Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award, given to her by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

But even as she was being lauded, Francis was being investigated after reports had been handed to the university hierarchy, that queried her conduct.

She was suspended from her $126,000 job on May 30th and then fired on June 12th.

In addition, her husband, Oakland University President, Gary Russi, announced that he was retiring from his position effective from August 1st.

The couple met at Oakland University and married in 1999.

So far, no explanation has been given for the termination of Francis' employment or that of Russi's retirement.

The school issued a statement in June about Francis that said in part: 'Indications of conduct and behavior of the women’s basketball head coach, that if true could be malfeasance and materially adversely affect the orderly or efficient operation of the women’s basketball program, came to the attention of an Oakland University administrator in April.'

Nine days after that, Francis dispatched a statement herself.

The University of Oakland has no publicly admitted why Francis' employment was terminated

'Instead of focusing on my views with respect to recent events regarding my employment, it has always been in my nature to stay positive. I have greatly enjoyed coaching the student-athletes over the years at Oakland University. I have challenged myself personally, professionally and spiritually, and I am looking forward to the future.'

However, the Detroit Free Press discovered that in the past season alone, four Oakland University players were diagnosed with an eating disorder.

'She was fixated on my weight; she was fixated on what I ate,' said Bachrouche, who played two seasons before transferring to Western Michigan in 2012.

'I would have to have my teammates sneak me snacks on the road. She would subtly tell me, but most of the times it was through the captains. She would tell the captains to tell me to cut down on my eating because I was eating too much at meals.'

Other former players said that they felt uncomfortable with the level of physical contact that Francis would involve in training.

'She would pass the ball around or try to guard us and she would always touch your stomach or always feel for your stomach,' said a former player who asked not to be identified.

'After a while she’d be like: ‘Oh, let me feel your six-pack.’

Indeed, the rapid nature of Francis' fall came just months after she received national acclaim for revealing to the Associated Press that she had been sexually abused by her father between the ages of 4 and 13.

Players said overall that Francis’ off-the-court control was 'suffocating' and that she ruled by 'intimidation.'

On her Twitter account @Coach_Beckie, Francis states her bio as: 'Loves God. Child abuse advocate. Coach.' and used 'Pray to Play' as the team motto.

Bachrouche said that Francis tried to make her attend church and Bachrouche said that the coach made her attend a Christmas party at her home where Francis made her read Bible verses.

Multiple other staff members have told the Free Press that under no circumstances were they to speak publicly about Francis or Russi.

'The problem was she was the wife of the president,' said a former player who asked not to be identified.

'It was so frustrating because you couldn’t run to anyone. Tracy (Huth) couldn’t do anything; the assistant coaches couldn’t do anything because at the end of the day, their boss went home to her.’